RS 4 Avant evolution

The famous RS model line began back in 1994 – with the legendary RS 2 Avant. The world’s first high-performance sports car with five seats and a large luggage compartment, the striking exterior design and the fine interior was equally influential. The five-cylinder turbo generated 232kW from a displacement of 2.2 litres, and went from zero to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds on its way to a top speed of 262 km/h. Porsche AG supplied parts such as brakes and wheels as a development and production partner. 

In 1999 the first RS 4 Avant debuted. The recently acquired Cosworth Technology Ltd was involved as a co-operation partner in the car’s development. Together with quattro GmbH, the English firm increased the performance of the 2.7-litre V6 twin turbo to 279kW dropping the 0 to 100 km/h time to 4.9 seconds. Demand for the RS 4 Avant was so high that Audi doubled its production figures from its original planning. 

The second-generation RS 4 appeared in 2005. It was initially available as a Sedan and an Avant. The vehicle was powered by the newly developed V8 engine with a displacement of 4.2 litres. The direct injection engine delivered 309kW. The RS 4 sedan raced from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. Other engineering highlights included the quattro drive with the asymmetric dynamic torque distribution, which were new at the time, and the optionally available carbon fibre ceramic brakes. 

The third generation of the RS 4 was presented at the Geneva Motor Show by quattro GmbH in February 2012. This generation was exclusively offered as an Avant. Just like its predecessor, the model was equipped with a 4.2-litre V8 engine, but with an increased output of 331kW. 

The new Audi RS 4 Avant uses a V6 bi-turbo, displacing 2.9-litres to produce 331kW and 600Nm of torque available between 1900 and 5000rpm. 0 to 100km/h takes just 4.1 seconds.